What is obesity? Which statistics in Africa/Togo?
Obesity is a pathological (abnormal) state characterized by an excess of fat mass that is harmful to the body.
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Definition of obesity
Obesity is a medical condition characterized by excessive accumulation of body fat, which can be detrimental to health. It is generally defined by body mass index (BMI), which is calculated by dividing weight in kilograms by the square of height in meters. A BMI equal to or greater than 30 kg/m² is classified as obesity.
Epidemiology of obesity in Africa
The epidemiology of obesity in Africa has undergone significant changes over the past few decades. Here are some key points regarding this issue:
Increasing prevalence: Obesity is increasing in many African countries, particularly in urban areas, where lifestyles and eating habits are changing rapidly.
Contributing Factors: Factors such as a sedentary lifestyle, high-calorie, high-fat diets, and socioeconomic changes are major contributors to this epidemic.
Regional variability: The prevalence of obesity varies considerably between countries and even within regions within the same country, with higher rates often observed in middle-income countries.
Health impact: Obesity is associated with an increased risk of non-communicable diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and some forms of cancer.
Policy responses: Several African countries are beginning to implement public health policies to combat obesity, including awareness campaigns on healthy eating and the importance of physical activity.
Epidemiology ( https://globalnutritionreport.org )
Togo has made limited progress in achieving targets for combating diet-related noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). 14.8% of adult women (aged 18 years and older) and 4.8% of adult men are obese. The prevalence of obesity in Togo is lower than the regional average of 20.8% for women and 9.2% for men . Meanwhile, diabetes is estimated to affect 8.4% of adult women and 8.5% of adult men.
Conclusion
Obesity in Africa represents a growing public health challenge, requiring increased attention and tailored interventions to reverse this trend and improve the health of the population.